Every season, there’s one shoe that dominates the rest. Flat, closed-toe slides have dominated the last couple, thanks to Gucci. But now that cooler weather has arrived, you’re going to need more coverage. Enter: the hiking boot.
It doesn’t matter if you’re actually a fan of the great outdoors; you’re going to need a pair of these sturdy, lace-up classics to stay on-trend this fall. Thankfully, designers from all over have hopped on board, injecting the mountain stalwart with quirky details and modernizing them without sacrificing comfort.
Here, 10 stylish takes on a classic silhouette; where you wear them is up to you.
Courtesy Prada
Prada Linea Rossa Velvet Boot
As one of the brands that has truly committed itself to the trend, Prada has a lot to offer anyone looking for a pair of tough boots. Chances are, however, you’re not actually going to hike in yours, so this red velvet stunner is the perfect choice. The ridged platform heel and D-ring eyelets give it a lot of rugged flair, but the smooth velvet is more city slicker than mountaineer.
Prada Linea Rossa Velvet Lace-Up Combat Boot, $750; neimanmarcus.com.
Courtesy Brunello Cucinelli
Brunello Cucinelli Calfskin Boot
We love the sleek, elegant shape of this boot from Brunello Cucinelli, who this season delivers a collection themed around urban exploration. A proprietary combination of oils give the Italian calfskin a texture almost like suede, and the molded polyurethane tread on the sole ensures water never seeps in—making this the ideal all-season, all-weather shoe.
There’s so much that makes this made-to-order, limited-edition boot covetable: the gorgeous patina and the luxurious crocodile skin will make any outfit. But the best thing about it? It’s surprisingly lightweight.
Doucal’s Trekking-Style Crocodile Boot, from $1,820; to order, contact the Doucal's Italian office at clienti_italia@doucals.com.
Richard David Green / Courtesy Jimmy Choo
Jimmy Choo Drake Flat
The gold stud details on these white leather booties add a bit of glamour, and the criss-cross laces, rubber sole, and shearling lining mean this will still match all your perfectly coordinated mountain chalet outfits.
The combination of rugged camo-print canvas and buttery soft leather trimming in a variety of colors makes this Valentino boot the epitome of tough-luxe.
For the purists, Gucci’s all-black boot is punched up with a bee embroidered on the tongue, which is swathed in the brand’s iconic red and green.
Gucci Leather Boot with Lug Sole, $980; gucci.com.
Courtesy Tabitha Simmons
Tabitha Simmons Bexley Boot
In her take on the hiking boot trend, Tabitha Simmons combines two classics: the look-at-me sass of leopard print with sharp brogue detailing.
Tabitha Simmons Bexley Lace Up Boot, $795; thewebster.us.
Courtesy Acne Studios
Acne Studios Ankle Boot
It’s all in the details: from the futuristic aluminum silver to the patent padded ankle collar to the marled rubber platform sole, Acne’s ankle boot is the kind of shoe that deserves a second, third, and even a fourth look.
Cool-girl designer Isabel Marant transforms her popular sneaker silhouette with a more outdoorsy bent by adding a sculpted rubber sole and bright contrasting laces.
Isabel Marant Brendty High Top Lace Up Sneaker, $595; isabelmarant.com.
